Drum washer



Jan. 15,- 1963 v. Rssxzzo ETAL 3,

DRUM WASHER Filed Feb. 25. 1960 INVENTORS V/ area 255 lzza BY [0 wAep P2ca/zzo a/W/W United States; Patent 3,073,325 DRUM WASHER VictorRebizzo, 3627 Divisidero St., and Edward P. Rebizzo, 1906 17th Ave, bothof San Francisco, Calif. Filed Feb. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 10,250 5 Claims.(Cl. 134-148) This invention relates to improvements in a drum washer,and more particularly to self-contained apparatus adapted for cleaningand re-conditioning used steel drums or barrels.

Many commodities, such as foodstuffs, beverages, greases, oils, paints,etc. are stored and shipped in metal drums. Because of the high initialcost of these drums, they are designed for reuse in connection with thesame or different commodities.

To make such resuse practicable, the drums must be thoroughly cleaned ofany remains of the former contents. 1

Such cleaning has heretofore been accomplished primarily by manualoperation involving hosing and scrubbing the inside and outside of thedrums until they are completely clean. 4

The present invention contemplates an apparatus which will thoroughlyclean metal drums and similar containers in a rapid andcontinuousoperation not dependent upon manual manipulation. This apparatus willtake advantage of the remarkable cleaning powers of detergents and othercleaning fluids now available on the market.

All the operator need do is place the drum in the machine and turn onthe appropriate control. The drum 'washer will then thoroughly cleanboth theinside and outside of the drum simultaneously with a consequentsaving of time and labor.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a drum washer which will thoroughly clean metal drums andsimilar containers inside and outside in a rapid, safe and economicalmanner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum washer ofthe character described which will recycle and reuse the cleaning fluidso as to effect significant saving in the cost of the cleaning material.A further object of the present invention is to provide a drum washerwhich will rotate the drum through even ourtains of cleaning fluidarranged to forcibly impinge on all surfaces of the drum so as to loosenand wash free all residue of materials previously contained in the drum.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a drum washerutilizing a nozzle having a novel configuration adapted to project afan-shaped curtain of cleaning fluid through a full 180 of are, so thata single nozzle can clean all of the inside surfaces of the drum.

It is further proposed to provide an apparatus of the characterdescribed which will securely retain the drum in the desired positionduring the washing operation and which will quickly release the cleaneddrum for removal and replacement by another drum to be cleaned.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will appear as thespecification proceeds and the new and useful features of the same willbe fully defined in the claims hereto attached.

The preferred form of our invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, forming part of this application, in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a side elevational view of a drum washer constructed inaccordance with the present invention, portions of the structure beingbroken away to show internal details;

FIGURE 2, a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ram forming part ofthe drum washer of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3, a fragmentary cross-sectional View of-a turn-table andassociated structure forming part of the drum washer of FIGURE 1;

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FIGURE 4, a cross-sectional view of a nozzle; and

FIGURE 5, a fragmentary view taken substantially on the plane of line5--5 of FIGURE 4.

While we have shown only the preferred form of our invention, it shouldbe understood that various changes or modifications may be made withinthe scope of the claims hereto attached, without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the drum washerof the present invention includes a turn-table 11 formed for supportinga cylindrical drum 12 in inverted position and with its open end down,.pump means 13 supplying a cleaning fluid under pressure, and nozzlemeans 14 connected to the pump means and formed to project the cleaningfluid in a curtain which will impinge against the drum along a linedefined by the intersection of the drum surface and a plane radial tothe axis of the drum, whereby the entire drum surface will be contactedby the curtain as the drum rotates.

The drum 12 and nozzle means '14 are contained within a cabinet 16,which serves to confine the spray and direct it downwardly into areservoir 17 over which the cabinet is mounted. Suitable doors (notshown) are provided in one or more sides of the cabinet to facilitatethe insertion and removal of the drum.

The turn-table 11 may best be seen in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, and ashere shown, is of generally disk shapehaving a diameter slightly largerthan that ofthe largest drum to be accommodated. A hollow shaft 18depends from the center of the turn-table 11 and is journaled in abushing 19 carried by a bearing member 21 secured to a portion of thereservoir 17.

The weight of the turn-table and drum are supported upon a bronzeslip-ring 22 mounted between the turntable 11 and bearing member 21.Lubrication is sup plied through an oil conduit 23 communicating withannular oil-distributing grooves 24.

Rotation of the turn-table is effected by a motor 25 mounted on top ofthe cabinet 16 and driving a shaft 26 which extends downwardly throughthe cabinet. The rim of the turn-table is formed with gear teeth 27which are interengaged with a spur gear 28 on the shaft 26, see FIGURE3.

The pump means 13 is connected through an intake conduit 29 to thereservoir 17, and is provided with a discharge conduit 31 communicatingwith the nozzle means 14 through a control valve 32, a header 33providing cleaning fluid to the exterior nozzle, while a conduit 34leads to the interior nozzle.

As may be seen from FIGURE 1, a plurality of nozzles are positioned inthe cabinet to spray against the exter' nal surface of the drum 12. Eachof these nozzles is of flattened form and projects a fan-shaped curtainof cleaning fluid forcibly against the drum. The nozzles are soarrangedthat the spray from each overlaps with the spray from the adjacentnozzle, so as to form a continuous curtain which will impinge againstthe drum along a line 36 lying on the intersection of the drum surfaceand a plane radial to the axis of the drum.

The exterior nozzles are stationary, so as to provide a stationarycurtain through which the drum will pass every portion of its externalsurface as it rotates upon the turntable 11. The force of the spray andthe detergent action of the cleaning fluid are suflicient to clean allunwanted Waste material from the drum surface.

The interior of the drum is cleaned in a similar man'- ner. A stationarycurtain of cleaning fluid is forcibly projected to impinge against allparts of the interior surface of the drums as its rotates.

In accordance with the present invention, and as an important featurethereof, the interior nozzle means 14 consists of a single nozzle 37projecting upwardly the cena ter of the turn-table 11. The nozzle 37consists of a standard pipe cap threaded upon the end of the conduit 34which passes coaxially upwardly through the hollow shaft 18. In thismanner the nozzle 37 may remain stationary while the turn-table 11rotates the drum 12.

In order for a single nozzle in this position to be effective, it isnecessary that it project the curtain of cleaning fluid through a full180 of arc, so that the cleaning fluid will impinge against the entireinner surface of the drum. This is here accomplished by the novelconfiguration of the nozzle 37.

As may best be seen from FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, a slot 38 is cutdiametrically across the top of the cap 37. This, of course, will tendto spray the cleaning fluid in a sheet or curtain. However, the portionof the curtain impinging on the lower areas of the drum will benonexistent or will be so weak as not to clean the drum effectively.

It has been found, that, by providing enlargements of the slots onopposite ends, the curtain can be made substantially even throughout thefull 180 of arc. These enlargements may best be seen in FIGURES 4 and ofthe drawings, and as these shown consist of bores 39 of approximatelytwo and one-half to three times the width of the slot. The bores 39 areformed so that their axes extend upwardly and outwardly at an angle ofapproximately 45 to the axis of the nozzle.

Additionally, it will be seen that the bores are somewhat tapered sothat their walls converge outwardly.

This configuration of the nozzle has been found to project more of thecleaning fluid to the sides than has been possible with nozzles ofconventional design. Because of the high pressure with which thecleaning fluid is propelled against the internal surface of the drum, ithas a strong tendency to lift the drum from the turn-table 11. If thedrum loses contact with the turn-table, it will, of course, not rotateand may bounce around within the enclosure 16 causing considerabledamage.

Means is here provided for holding the drum 12 down in positiveengagement with the turn-table 11 during the washing operation, thismeans being adapted for quickly releasing the drum for removal andreplacement by the next drum to be cleaned. As here shown, this meansincludes a hydraulic ram 41 projecting downwardly through the top of thecabinet 16 in coaxial relation to the turn-table 11.

As may best be seen from FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the ram 41 includesconcentrically spaced tubes 42 and 43, with the inner tube 42 serving asa hydraulic cylinder, while the outer tube 43 provides a shield for theinner tube.

Mounted for axial reciprocation in tube 42 is a piston 44 having a rod46 extending therefrom downwardly through the end of the tube. Waterunder pressure is supplied to the ram through hoses 47 and 48 connectedthrough a standard two-way valve 49 to a suitable source (not shown).

In accordance with the present invention, the lower end of the rod 46 isprovided with a drum-engaging member 51 having a convex lower surface 52adapted to bear against the end of the drum with the rod 46 extendedfrom the ram. The convex shape of the member 51 provides a substantiallypoint contact with the drum so as to reduce the frictional drag thereon,while still providing firm engagement with the drum.

In operation:

The reservoir 17 is filled with a suitable cleaning fluid. This fluidmay consist of detergent or soap solutions, or liquids having desiredacidity or alkaline characteristics. The fluid chosen will, of course,be dependent upon the character of the residue desired to he removedfrom the drum. It has been found that edible oils, greases and the likecan be readily removed from the drum by the present machine employingvery strong solutions of readily available ommercial detergents.

It may be desired to rinse out such drums with plain clean water, andthis can be easily done by connecting a source of fresh water into thedischarge conduit 31.

When the reservoir has been filled, the drum 12 may be placed upon theturn-table with its open end down in the manner illustrated in thedrawings.

The pump means 13 is then activated to supply the cleaning fluid underpressure through the nozzle means 14.

The nozzles throw out stationary curtains of the cleaning fluid throughwhich the drum 12 is rotated, the drum being held against the turn-tableby the ram 41.

When the drum is thoroughly cleaned, the pump means is turned off, theram is activated to retract the member 51 from contact with the drum,and the drum is removed from the machine.

We claim:

1. A drum washer, comprising a turntable formed for supporting acylindrical drum in inverted position and with its open end down, meansfor rotating said turntable and drum about the axis of the drum, pumpmeans supplying a cleaning fluid under pressure, a stationary nozzleconnected to said pump means and extending upwardly through the centerof said turntable, said nozzle being formed to project said cleaningfluid in a curtain impinging against the inner surface of the drum alongthe intersection of said inner surface and a plane radial to the axis ofthe drum whereby said curtain will contact the entire inner surface ofthe drum as it rotates, and a ram mounted in coaxial relation above saiddrum and having a depending member movable into contact with the upperclosed end of the drum for holding the latter down on the turntableagainst the upward force of said curtain of cleaning fluid, saiddepending member having a lower face of convex form providingsubstantially point contact with the closed drum end so as to reducefrictional drag of said member on said drum.

2. A drum washer, comprising an open reservoir, a perforated turntablemounted above said reservoir for rotation about a vertical axis andformed for supporting a drum in inverted position and with its open enddown for coaxial rotation therewith, motor means mounted above said drumand having a drive connection with said turntable for effecting saidrotation, pump means communicating with said reservoir and having adischarge conduit for delivering cleaning fluid under pressure, aplurality of nozzles connected to said discharge conduit and mounted inspaced relation to a side of the drum, said nozzles being formed todirect a substantially continuous stationary vertical curtain ofcleaning fluid against the external periphery of the drum as it rotates,a nozzle overlying the drum and connected to said discharge con duit andformed for directing a substantially continuous vertical curtain ofcleaning fluid against the upper end of the drum in a plane radial tothe axis of the last named drum, a stationary nozzle connected to saidpump means and extending upwardly through the center of said turntable,said nozzle being formed to project said cleaning fluid in a curtainimpinging against the inner surface of the drum along the intersectionof said inner surface and a plane radial to the axis of the drum wherebysaid curtain will contact the entire inner surface of the drum as itrotates, said last named nozzle including a vertical conduit and a capthereon formed with a diametrical slot across the cap, the slot beingenlarged at its ends whereby said curtain will be projectedsubstantially evenly therefrom through a full of arc, and a ram mountedin coaxial relation above said drum and having a depending membermovable into contact with the upper closed end of the drum for holdingthe latter down on the turntable against the upward force of saidcurtain of cleaning fluid, said depending member having a lower face ofconex form providing substantially point contact with the drum end so asto reduce frictional drag of said member on said drum.

3. A drum washer, comprising a perforated turntable mounted forrevolving movement on a vertical axis and adapted to receive anopen-ended drum thereon with the open end presented downwardly and thedrum disposed in axial alignment with the turntable, a fixed verticalconduit mounted co-axially below the turntable and having a shortthreaded end projecting above the turntable and having means fordischarging a fluid therethrough into the drum under pressure, saidmeans incruding a cap for the discharge end of the conduit having a slotformed to discharge the fluid against the inner surface of the drum in adiametrical plane and at a substantially uniform striking forcethroughout said plane said slot extending diametrically across the topof the cap for directing the discharge upwardly against the top of thedrum and extending into opposite portions of the side wall of the capfor horizontal discharge against the lower said walls of the drum.

4. A drum washer, comprising a perforated turntable mounted forrevolving movement on a vertical axis and adapted to receive anopen-ended drum thereon with the open end presented downwardly and thedrum disposed in axial alignment with the turntable, a fixed verticalconduit mounted co-axially below the turntable and having a shortthreaded end projecting above the turntable and having means fordischarging a fluid therethrough into the drum under pressure, saidmeans including a cap for the discharge end of the conduit having a slotformed to discharge the fluid against the inner surface of the drum in adiametrical plane and at a substantially uniform striking-forcethroughout said plane, the slot extending diametrically across the topof the cap for directing the discharge upwardly against the top of thedrum and extending into opposite portions of the side Wall of the capfor horizontal discharge against the lower side wall of the drum andhaving enlarged sections at the edge of the cap to direct a proportionalamount of the discharge toward the upper side wall of the drum.

5. A drum washer, comprising a perforated turntable til) mounted forrevolving movement on a vertical axis and adapted to receive anopen-ended drum thereon with the open end presented downwardly and thedrum disposed in axial alignment with the turntable, a fixed verticalconduit mounted co-axially below the turntable and having a shortthreaded end projecting above the turntable and having means fordischarging a fluid therethrough into the drum under pressure, saidmeans including a cap for the discharge end of the conduit having a slotformed to discharge the fluid against the inner surface of the drum in adiametrical plane and at a substantially uniform striking forcethroughout said plane, said cap having a flat top and an annular aprondepending therefrom formed for threading onto the upper end of saidconduit, said slot being formed through said flat top and apron andextending diametrically across the flat top of the cap and downwardlyinto opposite sides or" said apron, said cap being formed with boreswider than said slot at the locations where said slot intersects thejunction between said flat top and depending apron, said bores havingtheir axes positioned at an angle of approximately relative to the axisof said conduit and being of tapered form widening out toward theinterior of the cap whereby the fluid under pressure supplied to saidcap will be directed therefrom in a substantially rectangular curtainadapted to intersect the inner surface of the drum at a substantiallyuniform striking force.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,644,384 Kendall Oct. 4, 1927 2,228,684 Barnum Jan. 14, 1941 2,725,064Tamminga Nov. 29, 1955 2,764,171 Nolte Sept. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS549,465 Italy Oct. 13, 1956 566,968 Canada Dec. 2, 1958 572,854 GreatBritain Oct. 26, 1945

3. A DRUM WASHER, COMPRISING A PERFORATED TURNTABLE MOUNTED FORREVOLVING MOVEMENT ON A VERTICAL AXIS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ANOPEN-ENDED DRUM THEREON WITH THE OPEN END PRESENTED DOWNWARDLY AND THEDRUM DISPOSED IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE TURNTABLE, A FIXED VERTICALCONDUIT MOUNTED CO-AXIALLY BELOW THE TURNTABLE AND HAVING A SHORTTHREADED END PROJECTING ABOVE THE TURNTABLE AND HAVING MEANS FORDISCHARGING A FLUID THERETHROUGH INTO THE DRUM UNDER PRESSURE, SAIDMEANS INCLUDING A CAP FOR THE DISCHARGE END OF THE CONDUIT HAVING A SLOTFORMED TO DISCHARGE THE FLUID AGAINST THE INNER SURFACE OF THE DRUM IN ADIAMETRICAL PLANE AND AT A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM STRIKING FORCETHROUGHOUT SAID PLANE SAID SLOT EXTENDING DIAMETRICALLY ACROSS THE TOPOF THE CAP FOR DIRECTING THE DISCHARGE UPWARDLY AGAINST THE TOP OF THEDRUM AND EXTENDING INTO OPPOSITE PORTIONS OF THE SIDE WALL OF THE CAPFOR HORIZONTAL DISCHARGE AGAINST THE LOWER SAID WALLS OF THE DRUM.